Nick Franklin punctuated a seven-run second inning with his first career grand slam, spotting Seattle ace Felix Hernandez an early sizeable lead that wound up becoming a 12-5 rout of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Matt Carpenter's two-run home run in the seventh inning was the difference as the St. Louis Cardinals slid past the Houston Astros, 5-4, in the finale of a two-game Interleague series at Busch Stadium.

Chris Carter hit two home runs, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the seventh, to back seven strong innings from Bud Norris and give the Houston Astros a 4-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.